ALASKA and Canada’s West Coast are among the world’s last great frontiers.
With an unspoiled wilderness of glimmering glaciers, exotic wildlife and quaint waterfront communities, the region has become one of the favourite international cruise destinations for West Australians.
According to ocean and river cruise specialist Cruiseabout, in the past few years Alaska cruise bookings have strengthened due to more affordable pricing and greater interest from a wider age-group of traveller.
The Alaska cruise season starts in May and ends in September.
Although July and August are the warmest months, autumn and spring are the most beautiful.
There are a variety of different cruises to choose from.
Specialty cruises offer a small ship experience, enabling passengers to get closer to nature.
Many ships have experts on board to help visitors learn about local flora and fauna.
Larger cruise ships cover more territory and provide a comprehensive overview of the area with frequent port stops that enable passengers to experience the different cultures that make up the Inside Passage.
Inside Passage cruises generally start and end in Vancouver, Seattle or San Francisco and combine visits to a variety of the ports in the Inside Passage such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Sitka, with scenic cruising to view some of the region’s glaciers.
Inside Passage cruises are in protected waters so that, irrespective of weather, cruise conditions are usually calm and smooth.
Cruises from Vancouver to Anchorage allow passengers to extend their vacation and visit some of the area’s key attractions, including Kodiak Island, Denali National Park and Fairbanks.
There also are some interesting repositioning cruises available at the start and end of each season, which combine an Inside Passage cruise with an ocean crossing to Hawaii or a West Coast Cruise down to Los Angeles, San Diego or Mexico.
Call Cruiseabout on 1300 363 428 or visit www.cruiseabout.com.au.